Buyer

Tal; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust in Taunton is seeking a Buyer to join the Services Contracting Team. You will provide administrative support across procurement and contracting projects for IT and digital services, coordinating meetings and maintaining documentation.

The role is predominantly home-based with weekly attendance at County Hall, Taunton, and occasional site visits. A background in procurement, contract management or project support is advantageous, with NHS experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Good general education including Maths and English.
• NVQ4 qualification or equivalent experience.
• CIPS qualification (Certificate/Diploma/MCIPS).

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support across procurement and contracting projects.
• Support the management of a varied IT and digital services portfolio.
• Arrange and coordinate meetings, workshops and stakeholder engagement sessions.
• Manage team diaries and schedules, ensuring key deadlines and milestones are met.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, records and contract information.
• Track actions, risks and project progress, providing regular updates to the team.
• Support the preparation of reports, presentations and procurement documentation.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders, suppliers and partner organisations.
• Assist with procurement exercises and contract management activities as required.

Skills

IT skills: Excel & Word

Organised & proactive

Stakeholder coordination

Education

NVQ4 or equivalent

CIPS certificate/diploma/MCIPS

Tools

NHS procurement systems

Job description

Are you highly organised, proactive and looking to develop a career in procurement and contracting? We have an exciting opportunity for a Buyer to join our busy Services Contracting Team.

Working alongside experienced Contract Managers and procurement professionals, you will support a varied portfolio of high value projects, including significant work across our digital and IT services portfolio.

We are looking for someone with strong administrative and organisational skills who can manage multiple priorities and work confidently with a range of stakeholders.

You will support project and contract activity, coordinate meetings and diaries, maintain documentation, track actions and deadlines, and assist the team with procurement and contracting activities.

You will be proactive, have excellent attention to detail and be confident using Microsoft Office applications. Previous experience in administration, coordination, procurement, contract management or project support would be advantageous.

This is a predominantly homebased role, with attendance at County Hall in Taunton each Tuesday, additional attendance for team meetings as required, and occasional visits to other hospital sites. Hot desks are available at County Hall for those who prefer to work from an office more regularly.

If you are organised, motivated and keen to develop your career while supporting high value projects, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support across a range of procurement and contracting projects.
• Support the management of a varied IT and digital services portfolio.
• Arrange and coordinate meetings, workshops and stakeholder engagement sessions.
• Manage team diaries and schedules, ensuring key deadlines and milestones are met.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, records and contract information.
• Track actions, risks and project progress, providing regular updates to the team.
• Support the preparation of reports, presentations and procurement documentation.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders, suppliers and partner organisations.
• Assist with procurement exercises and contract management activities as required.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long‑term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining and leisure activities, as well as NHS‑specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath and Exeter just a short drive away – and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it is a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all – the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Please see attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details of duties and responsibilities.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Good general standard of education including Maths and English Language
• NVQ4 qualification or equivalent experience
• Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) qualification (Certificate/Diploma/MCIPS)

Experience

• Experience of working with customers in a large organisation
• Experience of working with and negotiating with suppliers
• Track record of achieving cost reductions and service improvements
• Experience of running competitive quotation and or tenders
• Experience of working within the public sector

Additional Criteria

Knowledge:
Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft IT packages including Excel and Word.

Personal Characteristics:
Self motivated, enthusiastic, organised with excellent attention to detail
Pro‑active and delivers to timescales
Flexible in workload duties, dealing with tasks, hours and ability to work with conflicting demands and meet deadlines
Calm and professional manner

Communication Skills:
Ability to communicate clearly with colleagues, managers and customers
Good interpersonal skills and team working skills with tact, discretion and empathy

Analytical & Judgement Skills:

Good problem solving skills with ability to analyse, interpret information and data and resolve issues

Planning & Organising Skills:
Ability to work autonomously and prioritise workload
Well organised
Positive approach to change

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of Procurement, e‑tendering, catalogue management and price benchmarking systems and software packages
• Working knowledge of NHS

For help with your application, contact:

[e-mail]

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 4

Contract

Fixed Term

Duration

20 Month(s)

Working pattern

Full‑Time, Flexible Working, Home or Remote Working

Job locations

County Hall
The Crescent
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4DY